3 January 2005 — Amritapuri
Mata Amritanandamayi Devi held a press conference today in which Amma announced that she will dedicate 100 crores [1 billion rupees or approx. $23,364,486 U.S.D.] to rehabilitate and reconstruct homes in South India that were completely destroyed by the tsunami on 26th December.
The houses will be built according to the specifications of the state governments. The Ashram has proposed to build houses consisting of two rooms, a kitchen, a small veranda and a toilet.
photo: Amma announcing future plans for tsunami-affected.
As thousands in the immediate area of Amritapuri are currently homeless, the Ashram has already started constructing temporary shelters to house them until the new homes are completed. This is being done on a 10-acre piece of property owned by the Ashram in Srayikkad, about one kilometer away.
In specific districts of Kerala, the Ashram is also allocating 15 million rupees [$350,467 U.S.D.], at 1,000 rupees per family, to those who’s homes were destroyed, for the purchasing of household items.
The Ashram will also provide free education and counseling to those children who have lost both parents in the tragedy.